Metropolitan racial residential segregation in the United States: A microlevel and cross-context analysis of Black, Latino, and Asian segregation

Abstract

We seek to establish the direct quantitative link between micro-and macrolevels of segregation for White-Latino, White-Asian, and White-Black metropolitan segregation using new methods for segregation analysis and test prevailing frameworks in segregation research that emphasize spatial assimilation and place stratification dynamics. METHODSWe reformulate a popular segregation measure as a difference of group means and estimate regression models of household locational attainments that are operationalized as the microlevel components that comprise the segregation index. We perform regression standardization and decomposition analysis to identify the extent to which segregation is determined by group differences on resources and group differences on rates of return on those resources, comparing these effects across low-and highsegregation contexts. These analyses are possible by using restricted-use microdata, and we specifically use the 2010 census and the 2008-2012 American Community Survey five-year sample. RESULTSWe find that spatial assimilation dynamics are stronger for Latino and Asian segregation than for Black segregation, but that place stratification dynamics prevail for all groups. Additionally, we find that Black segregation aligns more with a segmented assimilation pattern rather than classical spatial assimilation. Finally, we document that place stratification dynamics are stronger, and spatial assimilation dynamics weaker, in highsegregation contexts.

The Micro-Level Dynamics of Racial and Ethnic Residential Segregation

“…1, we gave an overview of some of the dominant theoretical frameworks in the segregation literature as well as an emergent theory of residential sorting recently set forth by Maria Krysan and Kyle Crowder (2017). Consistent with previous research in this area (Crowell & Fossett, 2018, 2020, 2022, we draw on three major theoretical perspectivesspatial assimilation, place stratification, and segmented assimilationto frame our analysis and conclusions in this chapter. These perspectives guide demographic studies focused on racial residential segregation while considering other social factors such as socioeconomic status and immigration (e.g.…”

“…Thus, we spend the remainder of this chapter describing our methodological approach and presenting empirical findings from an analysis that draws on a variety of different methodological techniques to capture the complexity of residential segregation, which is in part the product of multifaceted dynamics occurring at a micro-level. One primary benefit of what we are able to find with these new methodological innovations is that we can speak directly to the prevailing theoretical frameworks in the segregation literature, as we have done in some of our recent work (Crowell & Fossett, 2018, 2020, 2022.…”

“…However, in the case of nativity and citizenship, these dynamics do not entirely hold true for Black households, where foreign-born Black householders generally experience greater residential contact with White households as compared to U.S.-born Black householders in nearly all of the metropolitan areas, resulting in a typical estimated coefficient that is positive for naturalized and non-citizens as compared to U.S.-born citizens. This deviation from the spatial assimilation pattern for Black households could possibly be situated in the literature on segmented assimilation which posits assimilation is not necessarily a straightforward process of upward mobility in tandem with more contact with White households, particularly for groups who experience the negative effects of racialization in the United States (Crowell & Fossett, 2020, 2022Portes & Zhou, 1993). We conclude our discussion of the broad findings from the regression results by noting that results for White households across individual models were inconsistent and widely variable, demonstrating weaker effects that are consistent with past findings in the literature and reflecting the high levels of residential contact that White households have with one another (Pais et al, 2012;South et al, 2008).…”

“…the difference-of-means approach). We have been successful in empirically demonstrating this approach in our recent work (Crowell & Fossett, 2018, 2020, 2022.…”

The Rise of Asian Ethnoburbs: A Case of Self-Segregation?

“…They are professionally assimilated, but culturally they remain largely ethnic” (p. 453). Indeed, ethnocentrism perspectives provide one plausible explanation for why SES generally matters less for explaining the segregation of Asians relative to Black populations (Crowell and Fossett 2022; Iceland and Wilkes 2006).…”